Joint for above ground pool frame

ABSTRACT

An above ground frame pool ( 10 ) includes a frame assembly ( 20 ) and a liner ( 40 ) supported by the frame assembly ( 20 ). The frame assembly ( 20 ) includes a plurality of horizontal pipes ( 22 ), a plurality of vertical pipes ( 24 ), and a plurality of T-shaped joints ( 30 ). The joints ( 30 ) may lack mechanical fasteners with adjacent pipes or corresponding apertures. The joints ( 30 ) may be one-piece or multi-piece structures. Such joints ( 30 ) maybe water-resistant and convenient to manufacture, assemble, disassemble, and store.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Application No.201821518351.1 filed Sep. 17, 2019, and Chinese Application No.201920498611.1 filed Apr. 12, 2019, the disclosures of which are herebyexpressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an above ground frame pool. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to an above ground framepool including a frame assembly and a liner supported by the frameassembly, and to a method for using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Above ground frame pools are popular recreational products. Such aboveground pools include a frame assembly and a liner supported by the frameassembly. The frame assembly should be strong enough to support theweight of the water and swimmers in the pool during use, but should alsobe convenient to manufacture, assemble, disassemble, and store when notin use. The frame assembly should also be water-resistant.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an above ground frame pool including aframe assembly and a liner supported by the frame assembly. The frameassembly includes a plurality of horizontal pipes, a plurality ofvertical pipes, and a plurality of T-shaped joints. The joints may lackmechanical fasteners with adjacent pipes or corresponding apertures. Thejoints may be one-piece or multi-piece structures. Such joints may bewater-resistant and convenient to manufacture, assemble, disassemble,and store.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a jointis disclosed for an above ground pool having a frame assembly and aliner supported by the frame assembly. The frame assembly includes afirst horizontal frame, a second horizontal frame, and a vertical frame,the joint including a first horizontal portion having a continuous outerwall configured to surround a first end of the first horizontal frame, asecond horizontal portion having a continuous outer wall configured tosurround a second end of the second horizontal frame, and a verticalportion positioned between the first and second horizontal portions, thevertical portion having a continuous outer wall configured to surroundan upper end of the vertical frame.

In certain embodiments, the first and second horizontal portions form anincluded angle of less than 180 degrees.

In certain embodiments, the first horizontal portion lacks a mechanicalfastener configured to mechanically couple with the first horizontalframe, the second horizontal portion lacks a mechanical fastenerconfigured to mechanically couple with the second horizontal frame, andthe vertical portion lacks a mechanical fastener configured tomechanically couple with the vertical frame.

In certain embodiments, the first horizontal portion has an innercircular cross-section, the second horizontal portion has an innercircular cross-section, and the vertical portion has an inner ellipticalcross-section.

In certain embodiments, the first horizontal frame, the secondhorizontal frame, and the vertical frame narrow at the correspondingfirst, second, and upper ends, and the first horizontal portion, thesecond horizontal portion, and the vertical portion of the joint eachnarrow inwardly to accommodate the corresponding first, second, andupper ends.

In certain embodiments, the joint is made of plastic.

In certain embodiments, the first horizontal portion, the secondhorizontal portion, and the vertical portion are integrally moldedtogether to form a one-piece structure.

In certain embodiments, the first horizontal portion, the secondhorizontal portion, and the vertical portion are mechanically coupledtogether to form a multi-piece structure.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, anabove ground pool is disclosed including a frame assembly with a firsthorizontal frame, a second horizontal frame, a vertical frame, and aT-shaped joint friction-fit to the first horizontal frame, the secondhorizontal frame, and the vertical frame without any mechanicalfasteners, and a liner supported by the frame assembly.

In certain embodiments, the liner includes an upper sleeve configured toreceive the first and second horizontal frames, the upper sleevedefining a first horizontal area, and a side wall that defines a watercavity, the water cavity having a second horizontal area smaller thanthe first horizontal area.

In certain embodiments, the liner includes an upper sleeve configured toreceive the first and second horizontal frames, and a side wall thatdefines a water cavity, the side wall being located radially inward ofthe upper sleeve.

In certain embodiments, the joint has a continuous outer wallsurrounding respective ends of the first horizontal frame, the secondhorizontal frame, and the vertical frame.

In certain embodiments, the joint includes a first opening that receivesthe first horizontal frame, a second opening that receives the secondhorizontal frame, and a third opening that receives the vertical frame,wherein the first, second, and third openings are the only openings inthe joint.

In certain embodiments, the first horizontal frame, the secondhorizontal frame, and the vertical frame have narrowing ends, and thefirst, second, and third openings of the joint narrow to receive thecorresponding narrowing ends.

In certain embodiments, the first horizontal frame, the secondhorizontal frame, and the vertical frame are made of metal, and thejoint is made of plastic.

In certain embodiments, the joint is a one-piece structure. In otherembodiments, the joint is a multi-piece structure.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,a method is disclosed for of assembling an above ground pool includingthe steps of assembling a frame assembly including a plurality ofT-shaped joints, the assembling step including coupling each joint tofirst and second horizontal frames without any mechanical fasteners andto an upper end of a vertical frame without any mechanical fasteners,positioning a lower end of the vertical frame on a support surface, andsupporting a liner on the frame assembly.

In certain embodiments, the supporting step includes inserting the firstand second horizontal frames in an upper sleeve of the liner andpositioning a side wall of the liner radially inward of the uppersleeve.

In certain embodiments, each joint includes a first horizontal portionhaving a continuous outer wall surrounding a first end of the firsthorizontal frame, a second horizontal portion having a continuous outerwall surrounding a second end of the second horizontal frame, and avertical portion positioned between the first and second horizontalportions, the vertical portion having a continuous outer wallsurrounding the upper end of the vertical frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of thisdisclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparentand will be better understood by reference to the following descriptionof embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of an above ground frame poolincluding a frame assembly and a liner, the frame assembly including aplurality of horizontal pipes, a plurality of vertical pipes, and aplurality of T-shaped joints;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pool of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of the pool of FIG. 2 showing anexemplary one-piece T-shaped joint of the present disclosure coupled tothe adjacent horizontal pipes and the adjacent vertical pipe;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary two-piece T-shapedjoint of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the T-shaped joint of FIG. 4 coupled toadjacent pipes;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a first coupling assemblybetween the T-shaped joint and the adjacent pipes;

FIG. 7 is an assembled cross-sectional view of the first couplingassembly of FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a second coupling assemblybetween the T-shaped joint and the adjacent pipes;

FIG. 9 is an assembled cross-sectional view of a third coupling assemblybetween the T-shaped joint and the adjacent pipes;

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of another exemplary two-pieceT-shaped joint of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary three-pieceT-shaped joint of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary four-pieceT-shaped joint of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and suchexemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3 , an above ground frame pool 10 isshown including a frame assembly 20 and a liner 40. The frame assembly20 may be constructed of a rigid plastic, metal, another suitablecorrosion-resistant material, or combinations thereof, and the liner 40may be constructed of a flexible plastic or another suitable waterproofmaterial. The illustrative pool 10 is circular in shape, but it is alsowithin the scope of the present disclosure for the pool 10 to beelliptical in shape, rectangular in shape, or other shapes.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the illustrative frame assembly 20 includesa plurality of horizontal frames or pipes 22 positioned along theperimeter of the pool 10 and a plurality of vertical frames or pipes 24extending vertically downward to support the horizontal pipes 22 abovethe ground. Because the illustrative pool 10 is circular in shape, thehorizontal pipes 22 are arranged in a ring-shape and positioned alongthe circumference of the pool 10, but it is also within the scope of thepresent disclosure for the horizontal pipes 22 to be arranged in othershapes to form pools 10 of different shapes. In certain embodiments, thepipes 22, 24 are constructed of metal.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the illustrative frame assembly 20 also includes aplurality of T-shaped joints 30 (hereinafter, “T-joints”) connectingadjacent horizontal pipes 22 and vertical pipes 24. The T-joint issubstantially hollow and is configured to receive the adjacenthorizontal pipes 22 and vertical pipes 24. Each T-joint 30 includes afirst horizontal portion 32A with a first hollow end 33A that receives afirst end 26A of an adjacent first horizontal pipe 22A, a secondhorizontal portion 32B with a second hollow end 33B that receives asecond end 26B of an adjacent second horizontal pipe 22B, and a verticalportion 34 with a hollow end 35 that receives an upper end 28A of anadjacent vertical pipe 24. The lower end 28B of the vertical pipe 24rests on the ground or another supporting surface. The first and secondhorizontal portions 32A, 32B of each T-joint 30 are bent radially inwardrelative to the vertical portion 34 of the T-joint 30 to form anincluded angle a measuring less than 180 degrees, such as an obtuseangle (i.e., between 90 degrees and 180 degrees) or a right angle (i.e.,90 degrees).

Referring still to FIG. 3 , adjacent components of the frame assembly 20may have complimentary cross-sectional profiles. In one embodiment, theinner cross-sectional profile of each T-joint 30 matches the outercross-sectional profiles of the adjacent horizontal pipes 22A, 22B andvertical pipe 24. In FIG. 3 , for example, the inner circularcross-sections of the cylindrical horizontal portions 32A, 32B match theouter circular cross-sections of the cylindrical horizontal pipes 22A,22B, and the inner elliptical cross-section of the vertical portion 34matches the outer elliptical cross-section of the vertical pipe 24. Itis also within the scope of the present disclosure for some or all ofthese components to be circular in cross-section (See, for example, FIG.6 ), elliptical in cross-section, rectangular in cross-section, or othershapes.

Also, adjacent components of the frame assembly 20 may havecomplimentary profiles over their lengths. As shown in FIG. 3 , forexample, portions 32A, 32B, 34 of each T-joint 30 may narrow inwardly tomatch the narrowing ends 26A, 26B, 28A of the respective pipes 22A, 22B,24. See also, for example. FIG. 7 .

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the liner 40 is supported by the frameassembly 20. The illustrative liner 40 includes a side wall or sheet 42,a bottom wall or sheet 44, and an upper circumferential sleeve 46configured to receive the horizontal pipes 22A, 22B of the frameassembly 20. The upper sleeve 46 may include openings 47 correspondingto the T-joints 30 to facilitate assembly and disassembly of theT-joints 30. The side wall 42 and bottom wall 44 of the liner 40cooperate to define a water cavity 48. The side wall 42 may also includea water inlet 50 and a water outlet 52 to enable fluid communicationbetween the water cavity 48 and an external water filtration and/orheating system (not shown).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, theframe assembly 20 may be held together via friction-fit connectionswithout the need for mechanical fasteners (e.g., latches, bolts). Thesefriction-fit connections may benefit from tensile forces acting on theframe assembly 20 from the water in the water cavity 48. In certainembodiments, the side wall 42 of the liner 40 may be located radiallyinward of the upper sleeve 46 of the liner 40, such that the horizontalarea enclosed by the side wall 42 (i.e., the diameter of the watercavity 48) is smaller than the horizontal area enclosed by thehorizontal pipes 22A, 22B in the upper sleeve 46. In this arrangement,the water may generate tensile forces upon the frame assembly 20,thereby pulling the T-joints 30 radially inward and enhancing thefriction-fit connections with the horizontal pipes 22A, 22B and verticalpipes 24. As a result, and as shown in FIG. 3 , the T-joint 30 may havea continuous outer wall 38 that surrounds the adjacent pipes 22A, 22B,24, without any mechanical fasteners or corresponding apertures in thewall 38. Thus, the only openings into the T-joint 30 may be the hollowends 33A, 33B, 35 that receive the adjacent pipes 22A, 22B, 24,respectively. Similarly, the adjacent pipes 22A, 22B, 24 may havecontinuous outer walls without any mechanical fasteners or correspondingapertures in the walls, other than the hollow ends that are receivedwithin the T-joint 30. The absence of mechanical fasteners may simplifythe manufacturing, assembly, and disassembly of the frame assembly 20.The absence of mechanical fasteners and corresponding apertures may alsoimprove the water-resistance of the frame assembly 20.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3 , the T-joint 30 is a one-piece,integrally molded part. In other words, the first horizontal portion32A, the second horizontal portion 32B, and the vertical portion 34 areintegrally molded together (e.g., injection molded) to form theone-piece T-joint 30. In other embodiments that follow, the T-joint is amulti-piece assembly including two or more detachable pieces. Theindividual pieces may be constructed, assembled, and repaired in amodular manner.

Referring next to the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 , atwo-piece T-joint 130 is provided including pieces 160, 162. Thetwo-piece T-joint 130 of FIGS. 4 and 5 is similar to the above-describedone-piece T-joint 30, with like reference numerals identifying likeelements, except as described herein. The horizontal portions 132A, 132Btogether constitute the first piece 160 of the T-joint 130, and thevertical portion 134 constitutes the second piece 162 of the T-joint130, with a horizontal seam 164 formed between the pieces 160, 162. Thefirst piece 160 includes a first inner seat (not shown) disposed midwaybetween the horizontal portions 132A, 132B, and the second piece 162includes a second inner seat 163 disposed within the vertical portion134. One or more fasteners 166 (e.g., screws) are provided to removablycouple the first inner seat (not shown) of the first piece 160 to thesecond inner seat 163 of the second piece 162 along the seam 164.

The T-joint 130 may be assembled via friction-fit connections withoutthe need for mechanical fasteners, as discussed above. Alternatively,the T-joint 130 may be mechanically fastened or otherwise coupled to theadjacent pipes 122A, 122B. 124 using corresponding coupling assemblies.Various coupling assemblies are shown and described below with respectto FIGS. 6-9 . These coupling assemblies may be rearranged,interchanged, and/or combined, notwithstanding the particularembodiments shown and described below.

Referring initially to FIGS. 6 and 7 , a first coupling assembly 170 isshown for coupling each portion 132A, 132B, 134 of the T-joint 130 tothe corresponding pipe 122A, 122B, 124. The coupling assembly 170includes a cantilevered locking arm 172 on the corresponding portion132A, 132B, 134 of the T-joint 130, wherein the locking arm 172 ispartially surrounded by a slit 173 in the T-joint 130. The locking arm172 includes a locking protrusion 174 at one end and is cantileveredfrom the T-joint 130 at the opposite end. The coupling assembly 170 alsoincludes an elongate groove 176 with a locking recess 178 (FIG. 7 ) inthe corresponding pipe 122A, 122B, 124. When connecting the T-joint 130to each pipe 122A, 122B, 124, the corresponding locking arm 172 isguided through the aligned groove 176 until the locking protrusion 174aligns with and snaps radially into the locking recess 178 (FIG. 7 ).When disconnecting the T-joint 130 from each pipe 122A, 122B, 124, thecorresponding locking arm 172 is pulled radially outward to release thelocking protrusion 174 from the locking recess 178, and then the lockingarm 172 is guided out through the corresponding groove 176.

As noted above, adjacent components of the frame assembly 120 may havecomplimentary profiles over their lengths. As shown in FIG. 7 , forexample, the second horizontal portion 132B of the T-joint 130 narrowsinwardly at step 136 to accommodate the narrowing end 126B of theadjacent horizontal pipe 122B.

Referring next to FIG. 8 , a second coupling assembly 180′ is shown forcoupling each horizontal portion 132A′, 132B′ of the T-joint 130′ to thecorresponding horizontal pipe 122A′, 122B′. The second coupling assembly180′ includes an outer through hole 182′ in the corresponding horizontalportion 132A′, 132B′ of the T-joint 130′ and an inner through hole 184′in the corresponding horizontal pipe 122A′, 122B′. The second couplingassembly 180′ also includes an optional ring or washer 183′ surroundingthe hole 182′ in the T-joint 130′. The second coupling assembly 180′further includes a locking pin 186′ having cantilevered locking arms188′ at its lower end, the locking arms 188′ being separated by a slit189′ in the pin 186′. When connecting the T-joint 130′ to eachhorizontal pipe 122A′, 122B′, the corresponding pin 186′ is insertedthrough the optional ring 183′ and through the aligned holes 182′, 184′until the locking arms 188′ of the pin 186′ exit and separate beneaththe T-joint 130′. When disconnecting the T-joint 130′ from eachhorizontal pipe 122A′, 122B′, the locking arms 188′ of the correspondingpin 186′ are pressed together, and the pin 186′ is lifted out of thealigned holes 182′, 184′. The vertical portion 134′ of the T-joint 130′may be coupled to the vertical pipe 124′ using the above-described firstcoupling assembly 170′ or another suitable coupling assembly.

Referring next to FIG. 9 , a third coupling assembly 190″ is shown forcoupling the horizontal portion 132B″ of the T-joint 130″ to thecorresponding horizontal pipe 122B″. The third coupling assembly 190″includes an outer hole 192″ in the horizontal portion 132B″ of theT-joint 130″ and an inner hole 194″ in the horizontal pipe 122B″. Thethird coupling assembly 190″ also includes a seat 196″ formed within thehorizontal pipe 122B″, a lock 198″ moveably disposed in the seat 196″,and a spring 199″ that biases the lock 198″ radially outward. Whenconnecting the T-joint 130″ to the horizontal pipe 122B″, the lock 198″is pressed radially inward until the holes 192″, 194″ align and the lock198″ springs radially outward through the aligned holes 192″, 194″. Whendisconnecting the T-joint 130″ from the horizontal pipe 122B″, the lock198″ is again pressed radially inward until the horizontal pipe 122B″and the lock 198″ are separated from the T-joint 130″. Although notshown in FIG. 9 , the other portions of the T-joint 130″ may use thesame third coupling assembly 190″ or another suitable coupling assembly.

Referring next to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 10 , anothertwo-piece T-joint 230 is provided including pieces 260, 262. Thetwo-piece T-joint 230 of FIG. 10 is similar to the above-describedT-joints 30, 130, with like reference numerals identifying likeelements, except as described herein. The first horizontal portion 232Aconstitutes the first piece 260 of the T-joint 230, and the secondhorizontal portion 232B and the vertical portion 234 together constitutethe second piece 262 of the T-joint 230, with a vertical seam 264 formedbetween the pieces 260, 262. The first piece 260 includes a first innerseat (not shown), and the second piece 262 includes a second inner seat263 disposed midway between the horizontal portions 232A, 232B. One ormore fasteners 266 (e.g., screws) are provided to removably couple thefirst inner seat (not shown) of the first piece 260 to the second innerseat 263 of the second piece 262 along the seam 264. The T-joint 230 maybe assembled via friction-fit connections without the need formechanical fasteners, as discussed above. Alternatively, the T-joint 230may include one or more coupling assemblies (e.g., coupling assemblies170, 180″, 190″ of FIGS. 6-9 ).

Referring next to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 11 , a three-pieceT-joint 330 is provided including pieces 360, 362, 368. The three-pieceT-joint 330 of FIG. 11 is similar to the above-described T-joints 30,130, 230, with like reference numerals identifying like elements, exceptas described herein. The first horizontal portion 332A constitutes thefirst piece 360 of the T-joint 330, the second horizontal portion 332Bconstitutes the second piece 362 of the T-joint 330, and the verticalportion 334 constitutes the third piece 368 of the T-joint 330. Theillustrative third piece 368 includes front and rear triangular-shapedextension walls 369 that extend upwardly to support and partiallysurround the first and second pieces 360, 362. Each piece 360, 362, 368,includes an inner seat (not shown). One or more horizontal fasteners 366(e.g., screws) are provided to removably couple the first and secondpieces 360, 362, together, and one or more vertical fasteners 367 areprovided to removably couple the third piece 368 to one or both of thefirst and second pieces 360, 362. The T-joint 330 may be assembled viafriction-fit connections without the need for mechanical fasteners, asdiscussed above. Alternatively, the T-joint 330 may include one or morecoupling assemblies (e.g., coupling assemblies 170, 180″, 190″ of FIGS.6-9 ).

Referring next to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 12 , a four-pieceT-joint 430 is provided including pieces 460, 462, 468, and 470. Thefour-piece T-joint 430 of FIG. 12 is similar to the above-describedT-joints 30, 130, 230, 330, with like reference numerals identifyinglike elements, except as described herein. The first horizontal portion432A constitutes the first piece 460 of the T-joint 430, the secondhorizontal portion 432B constitutes the second piece 462 of the T-joint430, the vertical portion 434 constitutes the third piece 468 of theT-joint 430, and an intermediate seat constitutes the fourth piece 470of the T-joint 430. The illustrative third piece 468 includes front andrear triangular-shaped extension walls 469 that extend upwardly tosupport and partially surround the fourth piece 470. One or morehorizontal fasteners 466 (e.g., screws) are provided to removably couplethe first and second pieces 460, 462, to the intermediate fourth piece470, and one or more vertical fasteners 467 are provided to removablycouple the third piece 468 to the intermediate fourth piece 470. TheT-joint 430 may be assembled via friction-fit connections without theneed for mechanical fasteners, as discussed above. Alternatively, theT-joint 430 may include one or more coupling assemblies (e.g., couplingassemblies 170, 180″, 190″ of FIGS. 6-9 ).

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, thepresent invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthis disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

1.-20. (canceled)
 1. A joint for an above ground pool having a frameassembly including a first horizontal frame, a second horizontal frame,and a vertical frame, the joint comprising: a first horizontal portionhaving a hollow end that receives a narrowing end of the firsthorizontal frame; a second horizontal portion having a hollow end thatreceives a narrowing end of the second horizontal frame; and a verticalportion positioned between the first and second horizontal portions, thevertical portion being configured to mate with the vertical frame;wherein the hollow ends of the first and the second horizontal portionsnarrow inwardly at a radial step to receive the corresponding narrowingends.
 2. The joint of claim 1, wherein the first and second horizontalportions form an included angle of less than 180 degrees.
 3. The jointof claim 1, wherein: the vertical portion includes a hollow end thatreceives a narrowing end of the vertical frame, the hollow end of thevertical portion having an inner elliptical cross-section.
 4. The jointof claim 1, wherein the joint is made of plastic.
 5. The joint of claim1, wherein the first horizontal portion, the second horizontal portion,and the vertical portion are integrally molded together to form aone-piece structure.
 6. An above ground pool comprising: a frameassembly comprising: a first horizontal frame that narrows at a firstend; a second horizontal frame that narrows at a second end; a verticalframe; and a T-shaped joint coupled to the first horizontal frame, thesecond horizontal frame, and the vertical frame; and a liner supportedby the frame assembly; wherein the T-shaped joint includes a firsthorizontal portion with a hollow end that narrows inwardly at a radialstep to receive the first end, a second horizontal portion with a hollowend that narrows inwardly at a radial step to receive the second end,and a vertical portion configured to mate with the vertical frame. 7.The pool of claim 6, wherein the liner includes: an upper sleeveconfigured to receive the first and second horizontal frames, the uppersleeve defining a first horizontal area; and a side wall that defines awater cavity, the water cavity having a second horizontal area smallerthan the first horizontal area.
 8. The pool of claim 6, wherein theliner includes: an upper sleeve configured to receive the first andsecond horizontal frames; and a side wall that defines a water cavity,the side wall being located radially inward of the upper sleeve.
 9. Thepool of claim 6, wherein: the first horizontal frame, the secondhorizontal frame, and the vertical frame are made of metal; and thejoint is made of plastic.
 10. The pool of claim 6, wherein the joint isa one-piece structure.
 11. A method of assembling an above ground poolcomprising the steps of: assembling a frame assembly including aplurality of T-shaped joints, the assembling step comprising couplingeach joint to a first horizontal frame that narrows at a first end and asecond horizontal frame that narrows at a second end and to a verticalframe; positioning a lower end of the vertical frame on a supportsurface; and supporting a liner on the frame assembly; wherein eachjoint includes a first horizontal portion with a hollow end that narrowsinwardly at a radial step to receive a first end of a horizontal frame,a second horizontal portion with hollow end that narrows inwardly at aradial step to receive a second end of a horizontal frame, and avertical portion with a hollow end that mates with an upper end of avertical frame.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the supporting stepcomprises: inserting the first and second horizontal frames in an uppersleeve of the liner; and positioning a side wall of the liner radiallyinward of the upper sleeve.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein: thefirst horizontal portion of each joint has a substantially continuousouter wall surrounding the first end of the first horizontal frame; thesecond horizontal portion of each joint has a substantially continuousouter wall surrounding the second end of the second horizontal frame;and the vertical portion is positioned between the first and secondhorizontal portions, the vertical portion having a continuous outer wallsurrounding the upper end of the vertical frame.
 14. A frame assemblyfor an above ground pool, comprising: a first horizontal pipe; a secondhorizontal pipe; a vertical pipe; a joint comprising: a first horizontalportion having a first open end to receive a first end of the firsthorizontal pipe and an outer wall configured to surround the first endof the first horizontal pipe and having a first outer perimeter hole inthe outer wall spaced apart from the first open end of the firsthorizontal portion; a second horizontal portion having a second open endto receive a second end of the second horizontal pipe and an outer wallconfigured to surround the second end of the second horizontal pipe; anda vertical portion extending from the first horizontal portion and thesecond horizontal portion; and a coupling assembly disposedsubstantially within the first horizontal portion, the coupling assemblycomprising: a seat; and a lock moveably disposed in the seat between aradially outward position extending through the first outer perimeterhole of the first horizontal portion and a first outer perimeter hole inthe first end of the first horizontal pipe to couple the firsthorizontal portion and the first end of the first horizontal pipe and aradially inward position to permit separation of the first horizontalportion and the first horizontal pipe.
 15. The frame assembly of claim14, wherein the coupling assembly further comprises a spring positionedbetween a first end of the lock and a first end of the seat to bias thelock away from the first end of the seat toward the radially outwardposition.
 16. The frame assembly of claim 14, wherein the lock ismovable within the seat between the radially outward position and theradially inward position along a movement axis that is substantiallyperpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the first horizontalportion and the first horizontal pipe when the first horizontal portionand the first horizontal pipe are coupled to one another.
 17. The frameassembly of claim 14, wherein the seat includes a side wall to guide thelock as the lock moves between the radially outward position and theradially inward position.
 18. The frame assembly of claim 17, whereinthe seat further includes a post located at a first end of the seat andthe coupling assembly further comprises a spring disposed over the post,the spring being positioned to bias the lock toward the radially outwardposition.
 19. The frame assembly of claim 17, wherein the side wallextends perpendicular relative to a longitudinal axis defined by thefirst horizontal portion and the first horizontal pipe when the firsthorizontal portion and the first horizontal pipe are coupled to oneanother.
 20. The frame assembly of claim 14, wherein the seat ispositioned within both the first horizontal portion and the firsthorizontal pipe when the lock is in the radially outward position. 21.The frame assembly of claim 14, wherein the seat is positioned withinboth the first horizontal portion and the first horizontal pipe when thelock is in the radially inward position.
 22. The frame assembly of claim14, wherein the first outer perimeter hole of the first horizontalportion is positioned on a lower side of the first horizontal portionand the first outer perimeter hole in the first end of the firsthorizontal pipe is positioned on a lower side of the first end of thefirst horizontal pipe.
 23. The frame assembly of claim 14, wherein a gapis provided between a portion of the seat and the first outer perimeterhole, the first end of the horizontal pipe being positioned in the gap.24. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the first horizontal portionand the second horizontal portion form an angle of between 120 degreesand 180 degrees.
 25. An above ground frame pool, comprising: a frameassembly including a plurality of horizontal pipes, each horizontal pipeincluding a first end having a first opening on a side of the horizontalpipe and a second end including a second opening on the side of thehorizontal pipe; a plurality of vertical pipes; a plurality of joints,each of the plurality of joints including: a first horizontal portionincluding a first open end sized to receive a first end of a first oneof the plurality of horizontal pipes and a first opening on a lower sideof the first horizontal portion; a second horizontal portion including asecond open end sized to receive a second end of a second one of theplurality of horizontal pipes and a second opening on a lower side ofthe second horizontal portion; and a vertical portion including an openend sized to receive a portion of a first one of the plurality ofvertical pipes; and a plurality of coupling assemblies, each couplingassembly including a seat, a lock moveably disposed in the seat, and aspring, each coupling assembly is located within one of (a) both thefirst open end of the first horizontal portion and the first end of thefirst one of the plurality of horizontal pipes and (b) both the secondopen end of the second horizontal portion and the second end of thesecond one of the plurality of horizontal pipes, such that an end of thelock of the coupling assembly extends into one of (a) both the firstopening on the lower side of the first horizontal portion and the firstopening on the side of the first one of the plurality of horizontalpipes to couple the first one of the plurality of horizontal pipes andthe first horizontal portion and (b) both the second opening on thelower side of the second horizontal portion and the second opening onthe side of the second one of the plurality of horizontal pipes tocouple the second one of the plurality of horizontal pipes and thesecond horizontal portion; and a liner supported by the frame assembly,the liner including a bottom wall, a side wall, and an upper sleevewhich receives the plurality of horizontal pipes and includes aplurality of openings corresponding to positions of the plurality ofjoints, the bottom wall and the side wall cooperating to define a watercavity.
 26. The above ground frame pool of claim 25, wherein the sidewall of the liner includes a water inlet and a water outlet to enablefluid communication between the water cavity and one of an externalwater filtration system and an external heating system.
 27. The aboveground frame pool of claim 25, wherein the plurality of horizontal pipesand the plurality of joints define a frame perimeter and the side walldefines a pool perimeter, the pool perimeter being within the frameperimeter.
 28. A method of assembling an above ground frame pool,comprising the steps of: introducing a vertical pipe into a verticalopen end of a joint body, the joint body having a T-shape; introducing ahorizontal pipe into an open end of a horizontal portion of the jointbody; moving a lock radially inward in a seat; continuing to advance thehorizontal pipe into the open end of the horizontal portion of the jointbody while the lock is moved radially inward relative to the seat; andreleasing the lock to permit the lock to move radially outward relativeto the seat and into an outer perimeter hole in a lower side of an outerwall of the horizontal portion of the joint body.
 29. The method ofclaim 28, further comprising the step of placing the horizontal pipethrough an upper sleeve formed in a liner of the above ground framepool.